Jar refill capsule

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule (100) suitable for containing a product and intended to be contained in a transparent jar (10) comprising an internal cavity (30) configured to receive the capsule (100), the capsule comprising an outer surface visible from outside the jar when the capsule is in the transparent jar (10), characterized in that the outer visible surface comprises a texture including a micrometric pattern.

Description

Title of the invention: Jar refill capsule technical field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of packaging and conditioning, more particularly of products traditionally offered in jars or pots, including, but not exclusively, cosmetic or food products such as spices. Previous technique

[0002] The types of products mentioned, particularly when it comes to products with a luxury connotation, are offered in glass jars, mineral or organic glass, in these small containers so that the weight of the jar is easily greater than the weight of the product it contains.

[0003] Particularly in the field of cosmetics, the trend towards avoiding the use of preservatives leads to a reduction in the size of containers.

[0004] The small size of the jar and the nature of the products contained, which must, for example, be kept under suitable sterility conditions, make it difficult to consider refilling said jar with bulk product.

[0005] To avoid packaging waste, refill packs are offered. These refills contain the product in a lightweight, sealed plastic container, the dimensions of which are perfectly adapted to the inner size of the jar for which they are intended.

[0006] Thus, [Fig.1] a packaging system includes a jar (10) or pot, frequently transparent or translucent, a lid (20) adapted to close the jar and a cap (100) containing the product and configured to be introduced into an internal cavity (30) of the jar (10) without preventing the closure of the latter by the lid (20).

[0007] The capsule (100) is hermetically sealed, for example, by means of a peelable membrane (110) crimped onto its end.

[0008] Product identification, and in particular its brand, is achieved by printing on this membrane and / or by printing on a wall of the capsule

[0009] Since the jar is generally transparent, the impression on a wall of the capsule is visible when the capsule is inside the jar while the peelable membrane (110) has been removed.

[0010] When it comes to luxury goods or products with a luxury connotation, the overall appearance is not always very flattering, and the product's identification, for example in the middle Having several jars on a shelf is not easy for the consumer, who must read the information printed on the lid through the jar. Summary of the invention

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a capsule, suitable for containing a product and intended to be contained in a transparent jar comprising an internal cavity configured to receive the capsule, the capsule enclosing a container in walls made of a thermoplastic material and comprising an outer surface visible from outside the jar when the capsule is in the transparent jar, wherein the outer visible surface comprises a texture including a micrometric pattern molded in the thermoplastic material.

[0012] Thus, the capsule includes a texture allowing it to be differentiated, molded directly into the material constituting the capsule without requiring any printing or surface coating, hence a gain in terms of manufacturing steps.

[0013] This pattern may cover the entire visible outer surface or only a part of it.

[0014] In addition, this molding in the very surface of the capsule walls of a micrometric pattern, which can draw macroscopic patterns such as text or a logo, is difficult for a counterfeiter to reproduce, including by printing, and even allows information or patterns, possibly invisible to the consumer, to be concealed there, which allow the origin of the product to be authenticated.

[0015] This technical solution can be implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically operative combination.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the wall thickness is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0017] The micrometric pattern extends over distances between 0.1 micrometers and 100 micrometers in 3 spatial directions.

[0018] According to embodiment examples, the thermoplastic material is selected from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), preferably in their totally or partially bio-based version.

[0019] The thermoplastic material can be reinforced by a filler to form a composite.

[0020] The filler may consist of short fibers made of a polymer whose melting temperature is higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material.

[0021] According to variants, the texture comprising the micrometric pattern reproduces an appearance selected from leather, wood, marble, carbon fiber appearance, and caning.

[0022] According to embodiments, the micrometric pattern comprises strands protruding from the surface visible from the outside to form a velvety appearance.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the texture comprises micrometric patterns forming a hologram.

[0024] The micrometric patterns can be configured so as to make a marking appear in the texture.

[0025] The capsule can be manufactured by a molding process employing a molding tool comprising a matrix including a molding surface, the molding surface including a microstructuring configured to produce, in three-dimensional mirror image, a texture including a micrometric pattern.

[0026] The molding process is chosen from plastic injection, injection blow molding and thermoforming.

[0027] The die may include a molding surface heating device comprising inductors extending into cavities in the die.

[0028] The matrix may include a device for cooling the molding surface comprising channels for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid.

[0029] Characteristics of the heating and cooling devices are selected so that the heating rate and cooling rate of the molding surface are at least equal to 2°Cs 1 between an ambient temperature and a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material.

[0030] The microstructuring of the molding surface can be achieved by a process selected from photochemical etching, electro-erosion and laser pulse micro-etching or any combination of these processes. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] Implementation can be carried out according to the non-limiting embodiments shown below with reference to [Fig. 1] to [Fig. 6] in which: Fig. 1

[0032] [Fig.l] shows an exploded view of an example of the realization of a jar including a refilling capsule; Fig. 2

[0033] [Fig.2] shows, according to a schematic cross-sectional view, an example of the realization of a matrix for the implementation of the invention; Fig.3

[0034] [Fig.3] presents examples of micrometric pattern textures achievable on the surfaces of a capsule; Fig. 4

[0035] [Fig.4] shows an example according to a partial perspective view of a surface molding of a molding die; Fig. 5

[0036] [Fig. 5] shows, according to a partial perspective view, an example of texture on a visible outer surface of a capsule; and Fig. 6

[0037] [Fig.6] represents, in a front view, an example of a capsule comprising different textures on a visible exterior surface. Description of the implementation methods

[0038] The refill capsule shown below in some embodiments is intended to:

[0039] reduce the amount of material constituting the capsule, in particular by making its walls thinner;

[0040] preferentially use bio-based materials for the constitution of said capsule;

[0041] integrating markings and textures onto capsule surfaces without resorting to printing; and

[0042] all while remaining compatible with very large-scale production.

[0043] These objectives are achieved through the implementation of a chosen manufacturing process including: plastic injection, blow molding or thermoforming of a thermoplastic material chosen in particular from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), in their petrochemical or bio-based version.

[0044] This process makes it possible to mold a texture comprising micrometric patterns in the visible outer surface (111) of a wall of the capsule.

[0045] The textures, including the micrometric patterns and surface markings of the capsule walls, are produced during a molding process, such as injection molding, injection blow molding, or thermoforming, without any additional operations, and appear directly upon demolding of the capsule. This makes it possible to obtain surface effects—visual, optical, or tactile—in a reproducible manner in a high-volume production process without any additional printing, finishing, or coating operations.

[0046] Texture refers to a visual, optical, or tactile surface aspect. The visible surface of the capsule may include several textures.

[0047] Micrometric pattern refers to an elementary motif that forms part of a texture to give it the desired appearance. A surface comprises several micrometric patterns, which may all be the same or all different in shape or size.

[0048] To situate the differences in scale, a dimension along which a texture extends on the visible surface is at least 100 times and more frequently at least 1000 times larger than the largest dimension of the micrometric patterns constituting the texture.

[0049] The capsule comprises thin walls with a thickness (112) of less than 1 mm and preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0050] The mechanical properties of the capsule can be improved by adding a fibrous filler to the thermoplastic material so as to constitute a composite.

[0051] The charge includes, for example, short fibers with a maximum length of 100 micrometers for a diameter or thickness on the order of 1 / 10th of this length.

[0052] The short fibers can be mineral fibers of glass or carbon, organic fibers made of a polymer whose melting temperature is preferably higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material or natural fibers for example of flax, hemp or bamboo or any combination of these alternatives.

[0053] [Fig.2] according to an example of embodiment a mold (200) intended for injection molding, thermoforming or injection-blowing of a thermoplastic material, comprises a matrix (210) comprising a molding surface (211) and a punch (250) or core.

[0054] The die, in particular for the implementation of injection and injection-blowing processes, can be in two parts, for example assembled during molding at the level of a parting line corresponding to the cutting line of [Fig.2], the two parts being moved away from or closer to each other by a press, the punch or core being fixed.

[0055] In the case of thermoforming, the die can be in one part and the punch can be moved closer to or further from the die.

[0056] The molding processes are known from the prior art and are not described in further detail. In all cases, a parison of the thermoplastic material is brought to a temperature suitable for the molding process, generally close to the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material; this temperature is usually recommended by the supplier of the thermoplastic material.

[0057] The parison is applied against the molding surface, either by injection pressure, or by the action of the blowing punch or by the movement of the punch in the die.

[0058] The molding surface is micro-engraved, by any prior art technique, in particular by photochemical attack, by electro-erosion by laser microstructuring, but also by mechanical processes such as micro-shot blasting in order to create one or more micrometric patterns constituting one or more textures.

[0059] The micro-engraving is a three-dimensional mirror of the desired surface on the final part, a depression on the molding surface resulting in a relief on the final part.

[0060] Laser microstructuring is carried out by laser pulses whose duration can vary from femtosecond to microsecond, thus allowing control of the depth of ablation of material per pulse.

[0061] In the text the terms "micrometric pattern" designate an elementary three-dimensional pattern, repeated on the surface and whose dimensions in the three directions of space are between 0.1 micrometers and 100 micrometers, preferably between 0.1 micrometers and 10 micrometers with 1 micrometer = 106 meters.

[0062] A texture may include the repetition, according to an ordered or random pattern, of several elementary patterns, so as to produce a visual and / or optical and / or tactile texture.

[0063] A visual texture is visible to the naked eye, an optical texture is visible under specific lighting conditions of orientation, intensity, or wavelength through phenomena of diffusion, reflection, refraction, and diffraction of incident light, and a tactile texture is recognizable by touch. Most achievable textures can exhibit all of these effects to varying degrees.

[0064] The die (210) is made of a metallic material, for example ferromagnetic tool steel, stainless steel, a light alloy, copper or a copper alloy,

[0065] In order for the texture comprising the micrometric patterns of the molding surface (211) to be perfectly reproduced in the material applied against the molding surface, said molding surface is heated to a suitable temperature. This temperature depends on the molding process and can be determined by temperature-dependent viscosity measurement tests or by preliminary development tests.

[0066] The temperature of the molding surface must be sufficient so that the thermoplastic material is sufficiently fluid to fill all the micrometric patterns but that this thermoplastic material solidifies to a sufficient viscosity in said micrometric patterns upon contact with the molding surface.

[0067] Empirically, the preheating temperature of the molding surface is between 0.5Ti+20°C and Ti-20°C where Ti is the injection temperature, but this must be refined by preliminary tests.

[0068] In particular, this preheating temperature must be uniform over the entire molding surface. Indeed, hot or cold spots lead to changes in the appearance of the molded surface.

[0069] To ensure that the texture is perfectly reproduced, the temperature of the molding surface and the material in contact with it must be rapidly cooled at a cooling rate of approximately 2°Cs. Similarly, the cooling must be uniform over the entire molding surface to avoid surface defects.

[0070] These results are obtained on the one hand by the creation in the matrix of channels (230), pockets of the molding surface for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid and the rapid cooling of the molding surface.

[0071] The heat transfer fluid can be a liquid, such as water, or a gas, such as air, argon, or helium, without these examples being limiting.

[0072] Inductors (220) arranged in conduits made in the matrix allow the molding surface (211) to be heated rapidly, on the order of 2°Cs 1 and above all uniformly.

[0073] According to one embodiment the matrix is ​​made of a material with high magnetic permeability, such as a ferromagnetic tool steel.

[0074] In this case, the circulation of a high-frequency alternating current in the inductors directly heats the mass of material by induction, ensuring uniform heating.

[0075] According to alternative embodiments only one layer comprising the molding surface (211) is made of a material with high magnetic permeability, the rest of the matrix can be made for example of another material so that the heating action of the inductors only takes effect in said layer comprising the molding surface.

[0076] According to yet another embodiment, the matrix is ​​made of a diamagnetic material with high thermal conductivity, such as copper, a copper alloy, or an aluminum alloy. These materials are not sensitive to induction heating.

[0077] In this case, the conduits comprising the inductors (220) comprise a coating (221) made of a material with high magnetic permeability of a thickness on the order of 1 mm,

[0078] According to examples of embodiments, the inductors are made of copper tubes or multi-strand cables.

[0079] The inductors are connected to a high-frequency generator. Thus, when they are supplied with current at a frequency between 10 kHz and 200 kHz, they induce eddy currents which produce induction heating. directly from the matrix, or from the walls of the conduits, causing rapid heating, greater than 2°Cs and uniform of the molding surface.

[0080] According to the embodiment variant, the high thermal conductivity of the material constituting the matrix promotes the uniformity of the temperature on the molding surface both during heating and cooling.

[0081] When the inductors are of the tubular type, the heat transfer fluid can also be circulated in the inductors.

[0082] Rapid cooling precisely freezes the micrometric pattern engraved in mirror reproduction on the molding surface on the surface of the part in contact with it.

[0083] When the temperature drops below a predetermined value, the solid capsule can be demolded.

[0084] Thus the rapid heating and cooling cycle makes it possible to obtain a very short cycle time, compatible with very high-volume production while ensuring faithful and perfect reproduction of the micrometric pattern engraved on the molding surface and the possibility of producing thin walls.

[0085] Due to the preheating of the matrix and the molding surface, the process is compatible with bio-based thermoplastic materials, which are generally more viscous.

[0086] Bio-based thermoplastic materials are obtained for example by ligno-cellulosic means from wood or other biomass such as sugar cane, corn or rice straw, in particular by catalytic pyrolysis operations.

[0087] Rapid heating and cooling are also advantageous for the implementation of a thermoplastic material reinforced by a filler comprising fibers of natural origin.

[0088] [Fig.4] According to one embodiment, the microstructuring of the molding surface (211) comprises the creation of several micrometric patterns (401, 402, 403) of various shapes and dimensions, repeated according to different periodicities or patterns. Each pattern can have a different shape and depth.

[0089] On the surface each motif is contained within a diameter (410) between 0.1 micrometer and 100 micrometers and extends in depth (420) between 0.1 micrometer and 100 micrometers.

[0090] Several recessed patterns can be arranged so as to produce a raised pattern on the molding surface, which will result in a recessed pattern on the surface of the part in contact with the molding surface during the molding operation.

[0091] The very rapid heating and cooling cycle of the molding surface (211) allows not only a fine reproduction of micrometric patterns but also of a possible mirror polish of the molding surface between the engraved micrometric patterns.

[0092] By way of example, such a mirror polish is obtained for a surface with a roughness Ra (ISO 10110-8) less than 0.1 micrometer, preferably less than 0.05 micrometer.

[0093] Thus, the final surface can exhibit exceptional brilliance which, combined with micrometric patterns, makes it possible to achieve optical embossing by molding for the reproduction of a hologram.

[0094] Unlike a printed hologram, the molding process allows this hologram to be literally molded into the material.

[0095] [Fig.3] shows some examples of textures and patterns, by no means limiting, that can be produced on the visible walls of the capsule, such as a "carbon fiber" look (311), a caning look (314), a hologram (312), a marbled look (315) or a particular decorative pattern (313).

[0096] [Fig.5] according to an example of embodiment the texture on the visible outer surface (111) of the capsule comprises a plurality of strands (501) of determined shape, here truncated cone, whose height h (520) is between 0.1 micrometer and 10 micrometers as well as a diameter d at mid-height (510).

[0097] The molding surface (211) may include strands of different heights, diameters, slenderness ratios (h / d) and shapes.

[0098] These strands thus make it possible to create a tactile velvet texture, but by locally varying the size, shape or density of the strands, it is also possible to create a visual effect, in particular to create a display such as a brand or a logo.

[0099] Thus, [Fig.6] the visible outer surface (111) of the capsule may include a change in the characteristics of the texture so as to form a visual marking (611).

[0100] Another area, more difficult to detect visually, or even detectable only under certain lighting conditions, which can also be precisely located on the visible surface, can incorporate an authentication marking (612) to guarantee the origin of the product and thus identify possible counterfeits. List of references

[0101] 10: jar

[0102] 20: lid

[0103] 30: internal cavity

[0104] 100: capsule

[0105] 110: peelable membrane

[0106] 111: visible outer surface

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[0110] [YES]

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[0125] 112: thickness 200: mold 210: die 211: molding surface 221: coating 230: channels 250: punch 311: carbon fiber appearance 312: hologram 313: decorative pattern 314: caning appearance 315: marbled appearance 401, 402, 403: micrometric patterns 410: diameter 420: depth 501: strand 520: height 611: Visual marking 612: authentication marking

Claims

Demands

1. Capsule (100), suitable for containing a product and intended to be contained in a transparent jar (10) comprising an internal cavity (30) configured to receive the capsule (100), the capsule enclosing a container in walls made of a thermoplastic material and comprising an outer surface, visible from outside the jar when the capsule is in the transparent jar, wherein the visible outer surface (111) comprises a texture including a micrometric pattern (401, 402, 403, 501) molded in the thermoplastic material.

2. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein a wall thickness (112) is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm.

3. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the micrometric pattern extends over distances (410, 420, 510, 520) between 0.1 micrometers and 100 micrometers in 3 spatial directions.

4. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), preferably in their totally or partially bio-based version.

5. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is reinforced by a filler to form a composite.

6. Capsule according to claim 5, wherein the filler comprises short fibers made of a polymer having a melting temperature higher than a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material.

7. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the texture comprising the micrometric pattern reproduces an appearance selected from a leather appearance, a wood appearance, a marbled appearance (315), a carbon fiber appearance (311) and a caning appearance (314).

8. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the micrometric pattern comprises strands (501) protruding from the visible outer surface (111) to form a velvet appearance.

9. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the texture comprises micrometric patterns forming a hologram (312).

10. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the micrometric patterns are configured to make a marking (611, 612) appear in the texture.

11. Molding method for manufacturing a capsule according to claim 1, in a molding tool comprising a die (210) comprising a molding surface (211), the molding surface comprising a microstructuring configured to produce, in three-dimensional mirror image, the texture comprising the micrometric pattern.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the molding method is selected from plastic injection, injection blow molding and thermoforming.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the die comprises a molding surface heating device including inductors (220) extending in channels of the die and wherein the die comprises a molding surface cooling device including channels (230) for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein characteristics of the heating device and characteristics of the cooling device are selected so that a heating rate and a cooling rate of the molding surface are at least equal to 2°Cs 1 between an ambient temperature and a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein the microstructuring of the molding surface is carried out by a method selected from photochemical etching, electro-erosion and laser pulse micro-etching.

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